The Whale Trail
A new Great Ride from Picton to Kaikōura. The southern section will run 13 km from town to Hāpuku, with the mountains on one side and the sea on the other.
Section
Kaikōura to Hāpuku
Distance
13 km when finished
Surface
Off-road trail
Grade
Easy, grade 2
Bikes
Any bike
Status
Partly open
The trail
The Whale Trail is a new Great Ride being built between Picton and Kaikōura, around 170 km through Marlborough wine country, past Lake Grassmere and down the wild east coast. When it’s finished you’ll be able to ride it over several days, or pick off sections as day rides.
The southern end starts right in town and will run 13 km north to Hāpuku, with big views of the Seaward Kaikōura Range. It isn’t finished yet. The trail isn’t passable at Middle Creek while the new bridges go in, so for now ride each end out and back: from town to Middle Creek, or from Hāpuku to Harnett’s Creek. It’s easy riding, so it suits families and e-bikes.
The Whale Trail is built and run by the Marlborough Kaikōura Trail Trust, not the club. Check their website for open sections and trail alerts before you go.
Find it
Kaikōura to Hāpuku
Gallery
Photos
Support the trails
Enjoyed the ride?
Volunteers look after our trails, with help from local businesses and contractors. Donations and memberships go towards maintaining our trails and building new ones.